The Love of Christ
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The Love of Christ
We all have a lot of things that control us. The need for food, shelter and clothing encourage us to get a job. Our need for recreation and rest lead us to provide for those needs. The need for an education controls our choices and efforts in that area. We could even get into the nitty-gritty of piled up laundry controlling our need to wash clothes. Our desire to not land in jail can control how we drive our vehicles, how we respect the property of others, and how we respect the rights of others.
When all is said and done, we all live with a lot of controls. Usually we accept all of these as a part of life. But, there is a much better motivator. Paul had to describe his motivation in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15,
For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Christian behavior is controlled by the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we are tempted in any way, we think about how greatly God has loved us in Christ. We see that we are sinners, who deserve nothing but the pains of hell, and yet, in “the love of Christ” we have been set free. We are freely given forgiveness and all the glories of eternal life, all because we believe what God has done for us in Christ. Remembering this controls our lives.
Remembering “the love of Christ” suffering and being horrifically tortured — just because He loves us — controls our behavior towards Him. We don’t want to abuse the One who loves us. We want and need to be loved. And there is no better love than the love of our Creator and Redeemer.
That is why Paul was urging the Corinthian Christians to remember the love and grace that was extended to them. We have that very same love and grace extended to us. Are we going to remember how and why it was extended to even us? When we do rightly remember, it will control our living.
All of this is a gift from God. A gift.
Let us accept this gift of love and let “the love of Christ” control our living. Then, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, Your love does so many things for us. We need Your love to control us. Thank You for leading us to remember Your love, so that it may lead us to eternal life.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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